The title for the Seed Basket series, uʍop-ǝpᴉsd∩ for this week is a bit different. John’s Gospel shifts to an allegorical writing style and makes a great connection to the believer’s life today.
“The love of the Father towards the Son, and of the Son towards us, and ours towards God and our neighbor, are joined together with an inseparable knot: and there is nothing sweeter and more pleasant than it is. This love shows itself, a perfect example by Christ Jesus, exhibited in us and God is glorified.” 1
By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:8 (NKJV)
Jesus’ words to the disciples transcend time, reaching us today. I wonder how many believers have been inspired by this passage, to abandon lives of inertia? Only then will believers grow more devoted, experiencing richer relationships with Jesus.
The imagery in this passage focuses on the close relationship between Jesus and believers. The relationship grows through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.“
John 1:1 (NKJV)
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.“
John 15:2 (NKJV)
As the new believers began to walk with Jesus, they became a part of Him and His life. They shared in His ministry. They watched Him heal the sick. They witnessed how Jesus opened blind eyes and freed captives from demonic oppression.
Little by little, they stumbled and bumbled their way into a place of friendship and love with the Lord. They had faith. At first it was small, but it would bud to grow full and productive.
And that is just the point of this passage. Growing in Christ because we abide in Him. Ture believers will never be cut off from the Vine.
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
John 15:3 (NKJV)
In this compelling allegory, Jesus paints a picture—a lovely vineyard. In the painting, He is like a beautiful grape vine, with lush branches all grafted in. Each branch is full of life, growing, healthy, and being pruned, becoming fruitful and holding fast to the vine. Each branch draws life from the vine and produces fruit—proof of life.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:4 & 5 (NKJV)
But another image from this verse paints an equally graphic picture. Some branches merely touch the vine but do not draw life from it. Instead, they wrap around true branches.
But the more closely you look, you can begin to see they have no connection to the vine. This is reminiscent of people who attend church or profess to know Christ yet resemble the world. They show no evidence of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:6 (NKJV)
These reject the life giving health from the Vine. Some even seem to believe but never submit to Faith in Jesus. They never produce fruit that proves the regeneration of life.
Judas.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
John 15:22 (NKJV)
Judas saw it all, too. The miracles and the expressions of Godly love and life-giving faith. But his heart was as hard as stone. Only greed and disloyalty grew within Judas.
He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
John 15:23-24 (NKJV)
Believers have a decision to make. Just because we have accepted Christ and enjoy the freedom of living in the vineyard, shouldn’t our lives be full of spiritual fruit like- love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, patience, goodness and self-control?
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:9-11 (NKJV)
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
- Geneva Study Bible Footnotes
Ca. 1599 ↩︎
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 
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